The Middle East has always been a focal center of international affairs, and major world countries have long fought for influence and made their interests known there. China has recently entered the picture as a new player. Due to its large economy and growing global importance, China has been paying more and more attention to the Middle East, forming diplomatic and economic relationships with significant countries, and striving to increase its influence in the region.
Over the past decade, China’s influence in the Middle East has increased as a result of its Belt and Road Initiative, which involves significant financial investments in the region and deeper economic relations. This initiative has led to major investments in infrastructure and trade. China and Saudi Arabia alone saw an increase in bilateral commerce from $417 million in 1990 to over $116 billion in 2022. On the other hand, China’s most recent diplomatic efforts to mediate a historic agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran have underscored its development as a major role in Middle Eastern affairs. The potential for economic and infrastructure development is substantial and represents a new frontier for partnership and cooperation as China’s role in the region keeps evolving.
The economic links between China and the Middle East are supported by strategic demands. The economy of China relies heavily on the importation of gas and oil, and it perceives the energy-rich Arab world as a major supply of energy. The demand for oil is predicted to rise after nearly three years of COVID-19-related restrictions, providing China with an excellent chance to boost its technological exports and invest in crucial infrastructure.
Moreover, China is increasing its political ties with the Middle East as part of its regional interest, which goes beyond economics. China has comprehensive strategic alliances with nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and Algeria. With improved stability in the area, which may help unlock the potential for economic growth, the region’s political and strategic clout will certainly grow.
China’s new diplomatic approach is more about a change in how it sees its own place in the world than it is about a fundamental transformation of the global order.Â
China has utilized this economic clout to advance its own diplomatic agenda as its economic interests have increased dramatically abroad. With efforts to play a key diplomatic role in the Russia-Ukraine issue and security and defense deals with Djibouti, it has an expansionist foreign policy beyond the Middle East.
The United States and its allies have serious concerns about China’s growing influence in Middle Eastern politics, especially in light of the country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Tensions between the two countries are anticipated to rise as China’s influence grows throughout the Middle East and the United States focuses more on the Indo-Pacific area. The outcome of this fight will significantly affect both the region’s destiny and the wider power balance in international politics.Â
China has been making large investments in the region, creating economic connections, and growing its political alliances through its Belt and Road Initiative. On the other hand, it will need to carefully balance its ties to numerous Middle Eastern nations in order to manage political turmoil, environmental concerns, human rights issues, and relations with the US and its allies. Moreover, China will need to engage in responsible and strategic diplomacy as its influence in the region continues to grow in order to preserve stability and prevent aggravating already existing conflicts and tensions. The outcome of China’s efforts to increase its influence in the Middle East will have a significant impact on both the future of the region’s politics and economy as well as the greater power dynamics of global politics.
